Pastor meets the president

POOLER - It was a rainy Thursday on Sept. 7 when President George Bush flew into Savannah to speak at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum.

Dignitaries arrived, eager to share in the rare moment of history. The event was a fund-raiser for congressional candidate Max Burns.

A few weeks before the president's visit, Pastor Bob Rogers of First Baptist Church of Rincon received a telephone call from Burns' office asking if Rogers would give the invocation during the reception.

Rogers was humbled and honored by the request. He readily accepted.

Rogers provided the required information for security clearance.

"Really, all they asked for was my Social Security number, full name and birth date," Rogers said later.

The pastor cleared his busy schedule.

And then it hit him that he might actually meet the president in person.

On the day of the event, security was high in the vicinity of the Pooler museum. Only minimal access was allowed to U.S. 80. The law enforcement presence was heavy.

Rogers and his wife Mary were told to arrive by 11 a.m. - before all of the highway security was in place.

"We weren't allowed to park at the museum," Rogers said.

They were directed to a muddy field, where some would discover difficulty in leaving after the event. Rogers said the mud, the fact that guests had to stand in the street before going in and the long walk afterward were the only downsides to the experience. Otherwise, he said, it was a great event.

Rogers said about a dozen protesters and supporters stood across the street.

"Going in was pretty similar to what you'd go through at the airport," Rogers explained, adding that a picture ID got him through security.

"A lot of various law enforcement was present and it increased when Bush arrived later," he said.

As they waited for the program to begin, Rogers and his wife met many people involved in state government and several others running for office.

Rogers' invocation followed remarks from state Sen. Eric Johnson. His prayer was for the president and other leaders and he compared their tasks to that of biblical leaders.

Mary Rogers said this was her first time to be a guest at such an event and she was proud her husband had the honor to participate.

"It was very exciting to be there with people who are making a difference in our state and country," she said.

The Pledge of Allegiance followed the invocation and was given by Swainsboro Mayor Charles Schwabe. Robert Richardson of Savannah sang the national anthem and Max Burns introduced the president.

"When he came in, there was a much larger security presence," Rogers said. "He said Laura had suggested he keep his speech short, so he didn't speak very long."

Program participants were waiting in a designated area, and Rogers found himself in the company of Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.

"The president came through to shake our hands, and it was then that I realized that I was going to have the opportunity to shake the hand of President Bush," Pastor Rogers said.

"I took a photo of him, and when he approached I told him that I pray for him every day," Rogers said. "We are about the same height so he looked me square in the eye and said, 'Thanks, it's working.'

"And I meant that because I pray for all of our leaders regularly - 1 Timothy 2:2 says we are to pray for kings and all in authority."

Rogers said he has voted for both parties in the past, but likes the fact that Bush is pro-life and is a strong supporter of marriage between a man and a woman.

"Those are extremely important issues to me," he said. "I really appreciate his stand on those things and his appointment of conservative judges who are not going to be activist judges that try to change the law.

"As private citizen Bob Rogers, I do support that, and as a Christian, I ought to be involved."

Rogers added that his church is not Republican or Democrat and members of all parties are welcome.